Potassium is a mineral naturally food in foods like meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dairy. The best sources of it are bananas, citrus juices, avocados, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, flounder, salmon, cod, chicken, and other meats.
Potassium chloride is a combination of potassium and chlorine. It is used to supplement potassium if you cannot get enough through diet alone.
Potassium chloride is a colorless crystal and can be found in granule, powder, liquid, and pill forms. It may also be used as an injection or intravenously (IV) by your doctor.
The body needs potassium to support cell, tissue, and organs. It is used by the body to help prevent strokes, lower blood pressure, and reduce anxiety. It is also needed to support muscular strength and metabolism.
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Hypokalemia and Potassium Chloride Hypokalemia is the clinical name for low potassium levels in the body. It may be caused by certain medications or prolonged illnesses that involve vomiting or diarrhea. If you are at risk, your doctor can check your potassium levels periodically. Acco... more
Hypokalemia is the clinical name for low potassium levels in the body. It may be caused by certain medications or prolonged illnesses that involve vomiting or diarrhea. If you are at risk, your doctor can check your potassium levels periodically.
According to an article published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, symptoms of hypokalemia are abnormal heartbeat, constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness or spasms, and paralysis.
Potassium chloride is used to treat moderate to severe hypokalemia. Because having too much potassium in your body can be dangerous your doctor will need to run regular blood tests to monitor potassium levels. You may also need to have an EKG to monitor heart function.
Medications prescribed to lower blood pressure may keep your body form absorbing potassium naturally. Because potassium is essential for heart function, doctors may prescribe potassium chloride to boost potassium levels and lower blood pressure.
Diuretics also rob the body of potassium. This can lead to hypertension, which is also known as high blood pressure.
If you need to be on diuretics for extended periods of time potassium chloride can be prescribed to raise potassium levels. You have probably heard that putting too much salt on your food will cause high blood pressure and there is some truth to this statement.
Potassium is used as a salt alternative in patients with high blood pressure because it can not only mimic the taste but also lowers blood pressure naturally. It is used in products listed as sodium free and is also used in conjunction with sodium in low sodium products.
According to the University of Maryland some studies show potassium chloride may also reduce your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. They believe this is due to its ability to lower blood pressure.
Potassium chloride is an electrolyte and may be used in some recovery drinks. Endurance sports and training cause athletes to lose large amounts of potassium through sweat. Proper replacement can help improve performance.
Some states use potassium chloride as one part of the lethal injection. Potassium chloride is the last part of the 3 injection system. It used to cause cardiac arrest.
According to a study published in the Published Medical Journal Database potassium chloride may not preform consistently and other drugs need to be tested.
Some fertilizer producers also use potassium chloride in their products. It is often called potash.
Potassium chloride helps plants use water efficiently and resist drought. Proper potassium levels in food crops can yield large crops.
Potassium chloride can be administered in many ways. It can be mixed with juice or taken orally in extended release tablets. It can also be injected or given through an IV.
Extended release tablets and capsules should never be crushed, chewed, broken or sucked on. Also granules, powders and liquids should always be mixed properly.
If not taken properly potassium may be released into the blood stream too fast. Also potassium chloride can cause irritation to mouth and throat if it comes in direct contact.
According to the Drugs.com website, side effects of potassium chloride may include:
You should contact your doctor if you are experiencing side effects because they may be similar to signs of too much potassium in the body. Excessive potassium known as hyperkalemia can be very dangerous. Severe hyperkalemia can result in cardiac arrest and even death.
You should not use potassium chloride if you have kidney problems, Addison’s disease, or severe burns. Also if you are prone to dehydration, on diuretics, or have high potassium levels, you need to avoid potassium chloride unless you are being monitored by a doctor.
To locate and compare products containing potassium chloride, use the free supplement finder now!
| Confusion |
| Contraindicated For Certain Drugs Or Medication |
| Contraindicated For Certain Medical Conditions |
| Fever |
| Gas |
| Light-Headedness |
| Mouth Irritation |
| Nausea And/Or Diarrhea |
| Throat Irritation |
| Vomiting |
| Injection Site Infection |
| Vein Irritation |
| Potassium, Atomic number 19 |
| Anxiety |
| Heart Function |
| Hypokalemia |
| Lower Blood Pressure |
| Metabolism |
| Muscle Strength |
| Performance Enhancement |
| Prevent Strokes |